In Theaters this Summer – RESTLESS CREATURE: WENDY WHELAN

Featuring: Wendy Whelan, directed by: Linda Saffire & Adam Schlesinger
What we loved is that the film is always moving – hands, feet, interviews with cities passing by behind… Ms. Whelan takes us on a journey through her last season at NYCB. It’s a raw, inspiring piece that leaves you feeling as though you’re just a step into the wings, watching from backstage.

Restless Creature offers an intimate portrait of prima ballerina Wendy Whelan as she prepares to leave New York City Ballet after a record-setting three decades with the company. One of the modern era’s most acclaimed dancers, Whelan was a principal ballerina for NYCB and, over the course of her celebrated career, danced numerous ballets by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, as well as new works by more modern standout choreographers like Christopher Wheeldon and Alexei Ratmansky; many roles were made specifically for Whelan. As the film opens, Whelan is 46, battling a painful injury that has kept her from the ballet stage, and facing the prospect of her impending retirement from the company. What we see, as we journey with her, is a woman of tremendous strength, resilience and good humor. We watch Whelan brave the surgery that she hopes will enable her comeback to NYCB and we watch her begin to explore the world of contemporary dance, as she steps outside the traditionally patriarchal world of ballet to create Restless Creature, a collection of four contemporary vignettes forged in collaboration with four young choreographers.

Look for more of our interview with Wendy coming soon to InsideDance.com!!!